M. A. RAHMAN
Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
G. M. A. HALIM
Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
M. G. F. CHOWDHURY
Scientific Officer, Postharvest Technology Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
M. A. HOSSAIN
Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
M. M. RAHMAN
Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)
Fruit maturity, Fruit development, Postharvest quality, Shelf life, Capsicum.
Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Crop-Soil-Water Management
Crop growing and cultural management: Sweet pepper fruits were obtained from field grown plants at experimental field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Seeds of sweet pepper var. ‘BARI Misti Morich-1’. were sown on 15 November 2010 in the seed bed. Seedlings with 2-3 leaf stage were transplanted into small plastic pots. Thirty five days old seedlings (4-5 true leaf stage) were then transplanted in the experimental plots. The experiment was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The unit plot size was 1m x 4m. Seedlings were placed in two rows of 50 cm apart with 50 cm between plants within a row to give a population of 16 plants/plot. Manure and chemical fertilizers were applied in the experimental plot as per recommendation (Saha and Salam 2004). The recommended dosage for one hectare area were 10 t cow dung, 100 kg N, 150 kg P2O5, 120 K2O, 20 kg S, and 04 kg Zn. Half the quantity of cowdung was applied during final land preparation. The remaining cow dung, the entire quantity of P2O5, Zn, S, and 1/3rd each of N and K2O were applied in bed during pit preparation. The rest of N and K2O were top dressed in two equal splits after 25 and 50 days of transplantation. The intercultural operations, such as weeding, irrigation, and plant protection measures were taken as and when necessary. Flower tagging and fruit harvest: Flowers were tagged at anthesis to determine the stage of fruit development and 20 randomly selected fruits from 20 plants were harvested at three days intervals started on 33 days after anthesis (DAA) until 48 DAA to determine their growth and maturity. At each harvesting date, out of 20 fruits, 10 were used to determine physicochemical properties like fruit length, diameter, weight, firmness, crispiness, fibrousness, external colour, taste, and flavour, dry matter content, TSS, ascorbic acid content, and pH. The rest 10 fruits were packed in a 1% perforated polyethylene bag and held at 12°C and 88 ± 5% RH in a constant temperature and humidity chamber (Model: VS-9111H- 350, Korea) to observe the shelf life. Measurement of fruit weight, length, diameter and dry matter: Fruit weight was determined using a digital electronic balance (Mettler PJ400, Switzerland) after transporting the harvested fruit in a closed plastic bag to the laboratory. Fruit length and diameter were measured with digital vernire caliper. For quantifying the dry matter content, the samples were kept in an electric oven at 70°C for about 48h until a constant weight was achieved. Dry matter content was expressed as percentage which calculated based on its initial fresh weight. Measurements of surface colour and flesh firmness: Surface colour of capsicum fruits was evaluated with a Chroma Meter (Model CR-400, Minolta Corp., and Japan). CIE L*a*b* coordinates were recorded using D65 illuminants and a 10° Standard Observer as a reference system. L* is lightness, a* (-reenness to +redness) and b* (-blueness to +yellowness) are the chromaticity coordinates. The a* and b* values were converted to chroma [C = (a*2 + b*2 ) 1/2] and hue angle [h = tan-1 (b*/a*)]. Before measurement, the equipment was calibrated against a standard white tile. Skin colour was measured at three positions on the fruit surface, on the shoulder, at the equator and at the base. Three readings from each fruit were averaged prior to data analysis.
Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(2): 373-383, June 2014 ISSN 0258-7122
Journal